Ceramic electronic component

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment of a ceramic electronic component, an external electrode  12  of a capacitor  10  has one first planar part SEa of roughly rectangular profile positioned on a surface that specifies the length dimension of the ceramic chip  11,  as well as four second planar parts SEb of roughly rectangular profile positioned on both surfaces that specify the height dimension, and both surfaces that specify the width dimension, of the ceramic chip  11  and also continuing to the first planar part SEa. The second planar part SEb is constituted by a baked metal film  12   a  formed on the exterior surface of the ceramic chip  11  and a plated metal film  12   b  formed on the exterior surface of the baked metal film  12   a  via an adhesive force mitigation film  12   c.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ceramic electronic component using aceramic chip as the component body.

BACKGROUND ART

Ceramic electronic components using a ceramic chip as the componentbody, such as capacitors, inductors, and registers, generally have twoor more external electrodes on the exterior surface of their ceramicchip having a roughly rectangular shape. Each external electrode has onefirst planar part positioned on a surface that specifies the lengthdimension or width dimension of the ceramic chip, and at least onesecond planar part positioned on a surface that specifies at least theheight dimension of the ceramic chip and continues to the first planarpart, where a section cut along the height direction is roughly in theshape of a letter U or letter L.

Such ceramic electronic component is mounted onto a board in such a waythat primarily the second planar part of each external electrode isconnected electrically to a conductor pad of the board via solder orother bonding material. If the board deflects due to thermal shock,etc., in this mounted state, however, the stress from this deflectionmay be transmitted to the ceramic chip through the conductor pad,bonding material, and external electrode, and this stress may cause theceramic part of the ceramic chip or any conductor part provided insideor outside the ceramic chip to crack, deform, or otherwise suffer damagethat will ultimately lower the performance of the ceramic electroniccomponent.

FIG. 1 in Patent Literature 1 mentioned below discloses a ceramicelement 1 whose external terminal electrodes 5 a, 5 b havewrapped-around parts 15 a, 15 b where separated tips 15 a 2, 15 b 2apart from the principle surfaces 11, 12 of the ceramic element 1 areprovided, in order to prevent the ceramic element 1 from generatingcracks caused by stress corresponding to the aforementioned stress.However, since the wrapped-around parts 15 a, 15 b of the externalterminal electrodes 5 a, 5 b have basal joints 15 a 1, 15 b 1 that arejoined to the principle surfaces 11, 12 of the ceramic element 1, it isdifficult to suppress the transmission of stress corresponding to theaforementioned stress to the ceramic element 1 through the externalterminal electrodes 5 a, 5 b.

BACKGROUND ART LITERATURE Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2010-109238

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to Be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic electroniccomponent capable of suppressing the transmission, to the ceramic chip,of the stress from a deflection, should it occur as a result of thermalshock, etc., of the board on which the ceramic electronic component ismounted.

Means for Solving the Problems

To achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides aceramic electronic component with two or more external electrodes, eachhaving one first planar part positioned on a surface that specifies thelength dimension or width dimension of a ceramic chip roughly in theshape of a rectangular solid, and at least one second planar partpositioned on a surface that specifies at least the height dimension ofthe ceramic chip and continues to the first planar part, where thesecond planar part includes at least a plated metal film as well as anadhesive force mitigation film for mitigating the adhesive force of theplated metal film with respect to the surface on which the plated metalfilm is formed.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, a ceramic component can be providedthat can suppress the transmission, to the ceramic chip, of the stressfrom a deflection, should it occur as a result of thermal shock, etc.,of the board on which the ceramic electronic component is mounted.

The aforementioned and other objects of the present invention, as wellas the characteristics and effects according to each object, are madeclear from the explanations provided below and the drawings attachedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section view cut along the height direction, showing anembodiment of applying the present invention to a multi-layer ceramiccapacitor.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of FIG. 1 showing key parts.

FIG. 3 is a drawing explaining the operations and effects of theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a first variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a second variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a third variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a fourth variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a fifth variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a sixth variationof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 10 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a seventhvariation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 11 is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 2, showing an eighthvariation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, an embodiment of applying the present invention to a multi-layerceramic capacitor is explained by citing FIGS. 1 and 2.

As is evident from FIG. 1, a multi-layer ceramic capacitor 10(hereinafter simply referred to as “capacitor 10”) has two externalelectrodes 12 on the exterior surface of a ceramic chip 11 roughly inthe shape of a rectangular solid.

The ceramic chip 11 has the dimensional relationships of “Lengthdimension (dimension in the lateral direction in FIG. 1)>Width dimension(dimension in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 1)=Height dimension(dimension in the vertical direction in FIG. 1),” or “Lengthdimension>Width dimension>Height dimension,” and its eight corners arerounded. The ceramic chip 11 has multiple (16 in FIG. 1) internalelectrode layers 11 b laminated in the height direction alternately withcapacitance-forming layers 11 a, as well as protective layers 11 cprovided in a manner covering the internal electrode layers 11 b at bothends in the height direction. The ends of some of the multiple internalelectrode layers 11 b (odd-numbered ones from the top in FIG. 1) areconnected to one of the external electrodes 12 (on the left side in FIG.1), while the ends of others (even-numbered ones from the top in FIG. 1)are connected to the other of the external electrodes 12 (on the rightside in FIG. 1). FIG. 1 shows a total of 16 internal electrode layers 11b for the convenience of illustration; however, the actual total numberis greater than this.

The material for the ceramic chip 11 except for the internal electrodelayers 11 b, or specifically the material for the capacitance-forminglayers 11 a and protective layers 11 c, is dielectric ceramics, orpreferably dielectric ceramics of ε>1000 or Class 2 (high dielectricconstant type), and the thickness dimension of each capacitance-forminglayer 11 a is roughly the same and the thickness dimension of eachprotective dielectric layer 11 c is also roughly the same. Specificexamples of the dielectric ceramics used for the capacitance-forminglayers 11 a and protective layers 11 c include barium titanate,strontium titanate, calcium titanate, magnesium titanate, calciumzirconate, calcium titanate-ziroconate, barium zirconate, and titaniumoxide. Also, the internal electrode layers 11 b of the dielectric chip11 use metal material, and the thickness dimension and shape in top view(roughly rectangular) of each internal electrode layer 11 a are roughlythe same. Specific examples of the metal used for the internal electrodelayers 11 b include nickel, copper, palladium, platinum, silver, goldand alloys thereof.

On the other hand, each external electrode 12 has one first planar partSEa of roughly rectangular profile positioned on a surface thatspecifies the length dimension of the ceramic chip 11, as well as foursecond planar parts SEb of roughly rectangular profile positioned onboth surfaces that specify the height dimension, and both surfaces thatspecify the width dimension, of the ceramic chip 11 and continue to thefirst planar part SEa. In other words, each external electrode 12 has acontinuous shape comprised of the one first planar part SEa of roughlyrectangular profile and the four second planar parts SEb roughlyconstituting a square cylinder, and a section cut along the lengthdirection is roughly shaped like a letter U. Additionally, since theeight corners of the ceramic chip 11 are rounded, a rounded ring-shapedpart SEc (hereinafter referred to as “boundary part SEc”) is present atthe boundary of the first planar part SEa and each second planar partSEb.

It should be noted that, since the boundary part SEc is shared by thefirst planar part SEa and each second planar part SEb, it is notconsidered a part of the external electrode 12 in this specification andclaims. To explain the film constitution of the external electrode 12more clearly, however, the boundary part SEc is treated as a termindicating a partial area of the external electrode 12 in thedescriptions below.

As is evident from FIG. 2, the first planar part SEa and boundary partSEc are constituted by a baked metal film 12 a formed on the exteriorsurface of the ceramic chip 11 and a plated metal film 12 b formed onthe exterior surface of the baked metal film 12 a. Also, the secondplanar part SEb is constituted by a baked metal film 12 a formed on theexterior surface of the ceramic chip 11 and a plated metal film 12 bformed on the exterior surface of the baked metal film 12 a via anadhesive force mitigation film 12 c. It should be noted that the bakedmetal film 12 a constituting the first planar part SEa and the bakedmetal film 12 a constituting the second planar part SEb are parts of onecontinuous baked metal film, while the plated metal film 12 bconstituting the first planar part SEa and the plated metal film 12 bconstituting the second planar part SEb are parts of one continuousplated metal film.

The baked metal film 12 a is a metal film formed by applying a pastecontaining metal powder and then baking the paste, where specificexamples of the metal used for the baked metal film 12 a include nickel,copper, palladium, platinum, silver, gold, and alloys thereof Inaddition, the plated metal film 12 b is a metal film formed byelectroplating, electroless plating or other plating method, wherespecific examples of the metal used for the plated metal film 12 binclude tin, silver, palladium, gold, and copper. The adhesive forcemitigation film 12 c is a metal film formed by sputtering, vacuumdeposition, or other physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, wherespecific examples of the metal used for the adhesive force mitigationfilm 12 c include tin, silver, palladium, gold, and copper. Oneessential point is to use, for the adhesive force mitigation film 12 c,a metal film whose adhesive force with respect to the exterior surfaceof the baked metal film 12 a is lower than its adhesive force withrespect to the interior surface of the plated metal film 12 b.

Next, the operations and effects achieved by the embodiment (capacitor10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are explained by citing FIG. 3.

The capacitor 10 is mounted onto a board 20 in such a way that primarilythe second planar part SEb of each external electrode 12 is connectedelectrically to a conductor pad 21 of the board 20 via solder or otherbonding material 30. If the end of the conductor pad 21 overhangsoutward beyond each external electrode 12, as shown in FIG. 3, thebonding material 30 wets the exterior surface of the first planar partSEa of each external electrode 12 to form a fillet 30 a.

If the board 20 undergoes a deflection BE (refer to the thick arrow inFIG. 3) due to thermal shock, etc., in this mounted state, the stressfrom this deflection BE may be transmitted to the ceramic chip 11through the conductor pad 21, bonding material 30, and externalelectrode 12, and this stress may cause the capacitance-forming layers11 a and protective layers 11 c of the ceramic chip 11 or the internalelectrode layers 11 b provided in the ceramic chip 11 to crack, deform,or otherwise suffer damage that will ultimately lower the performance,or specifically the capacitance, of the capacitor 10.

With the capacitor 10, on the other hand, the second planar part SEb ofeach external electrode 12 is constituted by a baked metal film 12 aformed on the exterior surface of the ceramic chip 11 and a plated metalfilm 12 b formed on the exterior surface of the baked metal film 12 avia an adhesive force mitigation film 12 c, where the adhesive force ofthe plated metal film 12 b with respect to the exterior surface of thebaked metal film 12 a is mitigated by the adhesive force mitigation film12 c.

Because of this, the transmission of the stress from the deflection BEof the board 20, to the ceramic chip 11, through the conductor pad 21,bonding material 30, and external electrode 12, can be suppressed by (1)the operation to undo the adhesion of the adhesive force mitigation film12 c and baked metal film 12 a constituting the second planar part SEb(not illustrated) and (2) the operation to separate the adhesive forcemitigation film 12 c constituting the second planar part SEb from thebaked metal film 12 a together with the plated metal film 12 b (refer toa separation EX in FIG. 3).

Basically with the capacitor 10, where the transmission, to the ceramicchip 11, of the stress from the deflection BE of the board 20 can besuppressed by operation (1) or operations (1) and (2) as mentionedabove, cracking, deformation, or other damage of the capacitance-forminglayers 11 a and protective layers 11 c of the ceramic chip 11 and theinternal electrode layers 11 b provided in the ceramic chip 11 can beprevented as much as possible and therefore lowering of performance ofthe capacitor in the form of lower capacitance, etc., can be avoided asmuch as possible.

To verify these operations and effects, 10 samples each with a lengthdimension of 2.0 mm and width and height dimensions of 1.25 mm(corresponding to the capacitor 10) were prepared and subjected to thedeflection strength test. It should be noted that barium titanate wasused for the ceramic chip 11 of each sample except for the internalelectrode layers 11 b, and nickel was used for the internal electrodelayers 11 b. Also, nickel was used for the baked metal film 12 a, tinwas used for the plated metal film 12 b (formed by electroplating) andcopper was used for the adhesive force mitigation film 12 c (formed bysputtering), of the external electrode 12 of each sample, and thethickness of the baked metal film 12 a was 5 μm, thickness of the platedmetal film 12 b was 3 μm, and thickness of the adhesive force mitigationfilm 12 c was 0.05 μm.

The deflection strength test here was conducted by soldering a sample toone side of a glass epoxy board conforming to JIS-C-6484 and then, withpieces used to support the points 45 mm to both sides from the locationwhere the sample was soldered on the one side of the glass epoxy board,pressing down and thus deforming the area on the other sidecorresponding to the sample-soldered area at a constant speed of 0.5mm/sec using a jig (pressuring part is formed by a curved surface of 230mm in radius of curvature), to measure the amount by which the jig waspushed in during the deformation process (in mm) as well as the drop incapacitance of the sample.

As a result of the test, as many as six of the 10 samples did not droptheir capacitance by 12.5% or more before the jig was pushed in by 10mm, and it was also confirmed that the deflection strengths (mm) ofthese 10 samples far exceeded approx. 7.4 mm. Additionally, when the 10tested samples were observed by an optical microscope for the conditionof the second planar part SEb on the side of the glass epoxy board, itwas confirmed that operation (1) or operations (1) and (2) had occurredas mentioned above.

In the meantime, for the purpose of comparison, 10 comparative sampleswere prepared in the same manner as the aforementioned samples wereprepared, except that the adhesive force mitigation film 12 c waseliminated, and when they were put through the same deflection strengthtest, all 10 comparative samples dropped their capacitance by 12.5% ormore before the jig was pushed in by 10 mm, and it was also confirmedthat the average deflection strength (mm) of the 10 comparative sampleswas approx. 3.6 mm, which was lower than 7.4 mm mentioned above.

Next, first through eighth variations of the embodiment (capacitor 10)shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are explained by citing FIGS. 4 through 11individually.

[First Variation (FIG. 4)] This first variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the first planar part SEa of the external electrode 12-1 isconstituted by a baked metal film 12 a-1 formed on the exterior surfaceof the ceramic chip 11 and a plated metal film 12 b-2 formed on theexterior surface of the baked metal film 12 a-1; and the second planarpart SEb and boundary part SEc of the external electrode 12-1 areconstituted by a baked metal film 12 a-1 formed on the exterior surfaceof the ceramic chip 11 and a plated metal film 12 b-1 formed on theexterior surface of the baked metal film 12 a-1 via an adhesive forcemitigation film 12 c-1, or specifically the adhesive force mitigationfilm 12 c-1 is provided to extend not only to the second planar part SEbbut also to the boundary part SEc.

Also with this first variation, operations equivalent to operation (1)or operations (1) and (2) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

[Second Variation (FIG. 5)] This second variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the first planar part SEa, second planar part SEb, and boundarypart Sec, of the external electrode 12-2 is constituted by a baked metalfilm 12 a-2 formed on the exterior surface of the ceramic chip 11, and aplated metal film 12 b-2 formed on the exterior surface of the bakedmetal film 12 a-2 via an adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-2, orspecifically the adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-2, is provided toextend not only to the second planar part SEb but also to the boundarypart SEc and first planar part SEa.

Also with this second variation, operations equivalent to operation (1)or operations (1) and (2) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

It should be noted that, in the second variation, there is no directadhesion between the baked metal film 12 a-2 and plated metal film 12b-2 at the first planar part SEa, second planar part SEb, or boundarypart Sec, of the external electrode 12-2, and therefore the internalconductivity of the external electrode 12-2 may drop if the filmsseparate over an extremely wide area due to operation (2) mentionedabove.

If the above is a possibility, it is good to provide an adhesive forcereinforcement layer 12 d, between the baked metal film 12 a-2 andadhesive force mitigation film 12 c-2 at the first planar part SEa andboundary part SEc of the external electrode 12-2, to reinforce theadhesive force between the baked metal film 12 a-2 and adhesive forcemitigation film 12 c-2, as shown in FIG. 5, or provide an adhesive forcereinforcement layer 12 d, between the baked metal film 12 a-2 andadhesive force mitigation film 12 c-2 at the first planar part SEa ofthe external electrode 12-2, to reinforce the adhesive force between thebaked metal film 12 a-2 and adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-2 (notillustrated). This adhesive force reinforcement film 12 d is a metalfilm formed by sputtering, vacuum deposition, or other physical vapordeposition (PVD) method or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, wherespecific examples of the metal used for the adhesive force reinforcementfilm 12 d include titanium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and iron.Additionally, when this adhesive force reinforcement layer 12 d isprovided, it is preferable that, before the adhesive force reinforcementfilm 12 d is formed on the exterior surface of the baked metal film 12a-2, the film-forming location on the exterior surface of the metal film12 a-2 is cleaned by reverse-sputtering, etc., in order to increase theadhesive force as much as possible with respect to the exterior surfaceof the baked metal film 12 a-2.

[Third Variation (FIG. 6)] This third variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the length dimension of the baked metal film 12 a-3 is madeshorter than the length dimension of the plated metal film 12 b-3 oradhesive force mitigation film 12 c-3 at the second planar part SEb ofthe external electrode 12-3, or specifically the end of the plated metalfilm 12 b-3 is formed on the exterior surface of the ceramic chip 11 viathe adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-3.

Also with this third variation, where the adhesion force of the adhesiveforce mitigation film 12 c-3 with respect to the exterior surface of theceramic chip 11 is as low as its adhesive force with respect to theexterior surface of the baked metal film 12 a-3, operations equivalentto operation (1) or operations (1) and (2) mentioned above can beachieved, as well as (3) the operation to undo the adhesion between theadhesive force mitigation film 12 c-3 constituting the second planarpart SEb and the ceramic chip 11, and (4) the operation to separate theadhesive force mitigation film 12 c-3 constituting the second planarpart SEb from the ceramic chip 11 together with the plated metal film 12b-3 (not illustrated), and thus effects equivalent to those mentionedabove can be achieved.

[Fourth Variation (FIG. 7)] This fourth variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the second planar part SEb of the external electrode 12-4 isconstituted by a plated metal film 12 b-4 formed on the exterior surfaceof the ceramic chip 11 via an adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-4, orspecifically a baked metal film 12 a-4, is provided only at the firstplanar part SEa and boundary part SEc.

Also with this fourth variation, operations equivalent to operation (3)or operations (3) and (4) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

[Fifth Variation (FIG. 8)] This fifth variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the second planar part SEb and boundary part SEc of the externalelectrode 12-4 are constituted by a plated metal film 12 b-5 formed onthe exterior surface of the ceramic chip 11 via an adhesive forcemitigation film 12 c-5, or specifically a baked metal film 12 a-5 isprovided only at the first planar part SEa.

Also with this fifth variation, operations equivalent to operation (3)or operations (3) and (4) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

[Sixth Variation (FIG. 9)] This sixth variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the second planar part SEa of the external electrode 12-6 isprovided only on one surface (bottom side in FIG. 9) that specifies theheight dimension of the ceramic chip 11; and the external electrode 12-6has a continuous shape comprised of one first planar part SEa of roughlyrectangular profile and one second planar part SEb of roughlyrectangular profile, with a section cut along the height directionroughly shaped like a letter L. It should be noted that the first planarpart SEa and boundary part SEc of the external electrode 12-6 areconstituted by a baked metal film 12 a-6 and plated metal film 12 b-6,while the second planar part SEb is constituted by a baked metal film 12a-6, plated metal film 12 b-6 and adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-6.

Also with this sixth variation, operations equivalent to operation (1)or operations (1) and (2) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

[Seventh Variation (FIG. 10)] This seventh variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the second planar part SEb of the external electrode 12-7 isprovided only on one surface (bottom side in FIG. 10) that specifies theheight dimension of the ceramic chip 11; the external electrode 12-7 hasa continuous shape comprised of one first planar part SEa of roughlyrectangular profile and one second planar part SEb of roughlyrectangular profile, with a section cut along the height directionroughly shaped like a letter L; and the second planar part SEb of theexternal electrode 12-7 is constituted by a plated metal film 12 b-7formed on the exterior surface of the ceramic chip 11 via an adhesiveforce mitigation film 12 c-7. It should be noted that the first planarpart SEa and boundary part SEc of the external electrode 12-7 areconstituted by a baked metal film 12 a-7 and plated metal film 12 b-7.

Also with this seventh variation, operations equivalent to operation (3)or operations (3) and (4) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

[Eighth Variation (FIG. 11)] This eighth variation is structurallydifferent from the embodiment (capacitor 10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat: the second planar part SEb and boundary part SEc of the externalelectrode 12-8 is provided only on one surface (bottom side in FIG. 11)that specifies the height dimension of the ceramic chip 11; the externalelectrode 12-8 has a continuous shape comprised of one first planar partSEa of roughly rectangular profile and one second planar part SEb ofroughly rectangular profile, with a section cut along the heightdirection roughly shaped like a letter L; and the second planar part SEband boundary part SEc of the external electrode 12-8 are constituted bya plated metal film 12 b-8 formed on the exterior surface of the ceramicchip 11 via an adhesive force mitigation film 12 c-8. It should be notedthat the first planar part SEa of the external electrode 12-8 isconstituted by a baked metal film 12 a-8 and plated metal film 12 b-8.

Also with this eighth variation, operations equivalent to operation (3)or operations (3) and (4) mentioned above can be achieved and thuseffects equivalent to those mentioned above can be achieved.

Next, common modifications that can be made to the embodiment (capacitor10) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and to the first through eighth variationsshown in FIGS. 4 through 11 are explained.

[First Modification] If the ends of multiple internal electrode layers 1lb are exposed on a surface that specifies the width dimension of theceramic chip 11 (i.e., the orientations of multiple internal electrodelayers 11 b are different by 90 degrees when viewed from above), it isgood to position one first planar part SEa of the external electrode 12,12-1 to 12-5 on a surface that specifies the width dimension of theceramic chip 11 and position two of the four second planar parts SEb, ina manner continuing thereto, on both surfaces that specify the heightdimension of the ceramic chip 11, with the two remaining partspositioned on both surfaces that specify the length dimension of theceramic chip 11. In this case, the external electrode also has acontinuous shape comprised of one first planar part SEa of roughlyrectangular profile and four second planar parts SEb roughlyconstituting a square cylinder, and therefore its section cut along theheight direction is roughly shaped like a letter U as is the case of theexternal electrode 12, 12-1 to 12-5.

[Second Modification] If the ends of multiple internal electrode layers11 b are exposed on a surface that specifies the width dimension of theceramic chip 11 (i.e., the orientations of multiple internal electrodelayers 11 b are different by 90 degrees when viewed from above), it isgood to position one first planar part SEa of the external electrode12-6 to 12-8 on a surface that specifies the width dimension of theceramic chip 11 and position one second planar part SEb, in a mannercontinuing thereto, on one surface that specifies the height dimensionof the ceramic chip 11. In this case, the external electrode also has acontinuous shape comprised of one first planar part SEa of roughlyrectangular profile and one second planar part SEb of roughlyrectangular profile, and therefore its section cut along the heightdirection is roughly shaped like a letter L as is the case of theexternal electrode 12-6 to 12-8.

[Third Modification] Two second planar parts SEb of each externalelectrode 12, 12-1 to 12-5 may be positioned only on both surfaces thatspecify the height dimension of the ceramic chip 11. In this case, theexternal electrode has a continuous shape comprised of one first planarpart SEa of roughly rectangular profile and two second planar parts SEbof roughly rectangular profile, and a section cut along the heightdirection is roughly shaped like a letter U.

Additionally, if the ends of multiple internal electrode layers 11 b areexposed on a surface that specifies the width dimension of the ceramicchip 11 (i.e., the orientations of multiple internal electrode layers 11b are different by 90 degrees when viewed from above), an externalelectrode whose section cut along the height direction is roughly shapedlike a letter U can be obtained by positioning one first planar part SEaof the external electrode as mentioned in the preceding paragraph on onesurface that specifies the width dimension of the ceramic chip 11.

[Fourth Modification] An external electrode may be constituted by aplated metal film 12 b, 12 b-1 to 12 b-8 and other plated metal filmformed on the exterior surface thereof. This other plated metal film isnot limited to one, and two or more films may be provided, butpreferably the material for the outermost plated metal film is differentfrom the material for the plated metal film or films on the inside ofthe outermost film. Specific examples of the metal used for theoutermost plated metal film include tin, silver, palladium, gold, andcopper, while specific examples of the metal used for the plated metalfilm or films on the inside of the outermost film include platinum,silver, palladium, chromium, gold, copper, and nickel.

[Fifth Modification] Although a metal film formed by a physical vapordeposition (PVD) method was indicated for the adhesive force mitigationfilm 12 c, 12 c-1 to 12 c-8, any other film other than theaforementioned metal film can be used so long as it can mitigate theadhesive force of the plated metal film 12 b, 12 b-1 to 12 b-8 withrespect to the surface on which the plated metal film is formed (i.e.,exterior surface of the baked metal film or exterior surface of theceramic chip). Effects equivalent to those mentioned above can beachieved also by using, as the aforementioned adhesive force mitigationfilm, silica, polyimide, or other non-metal material formed like a film,for example.

The foregoing explained the characteristics, effects, etc., of thepresent invention by citing examples of multi-layer ceramic capacitors,but the present invention can also be applied to non-capacitor ceramicelectronic components using a ceramic chip as the component body, suchas inductors and resistors, and the transmission to the ceramic chip,through the external electrode, of the stress from deflection of theboard can still be suppressed and thus cracking, deformation, or otherdamage of the ceramic part of the ceramic chip or any conductor partprovided inside or outside of the ceramic chip, and consequentlylowering of performance of the ceramic electronic component, can beavoided as much as possible.

Additionally, three or more external electrodes can be provided on theexterior surfaces of a ceramic chip roughly shaped in a rectangularsolid according to the form of the conductor part provided inside oroutside the ceramic chip, provided that the external electrode has asection roughly shaped like a letter L as described in the externalelectrode 12-6 to 12-8 and the second modification, or the externalelectrode has a section roughly shaped like a letter U as described inthe third modification, in which case the transmission to the ceramicchip, through each external electrode, of the stress from deflection ofthe board can still be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

10—Multi-layer ceramic capacitor, 11—Ceramic chip, 11a—Capacitance-forming layer, 11 b—Internal electrode layer, 11c—Protective layer, 12, 12-1 to 12-8—External electrode, SEa—Firstplanar part, SEb—Second planar part, SEc—Boundary part, 12 a, 12 a-1 to12 a-8—Baked metal film, 12 b, 12 b-1 to 12 b-8—Plated metal film, 12 c,12 c-1 to 12 c-8—Adhesive force mitigation film.

1. A ceramic electronic component with two or more external electrodes,each having one first planar part positioned on a surface that specifiesa length dimension or width dimension of a ceramic chip roughly in ashape of a rectangular solid, and at least one second planar partpositioned on a surface that specifies at least a height dimension ofthe ceramic chip and continues to the first planar part, said ceramicelectronic component characterized in that the second planar partincludes at least a plated metal film as well as an adhesive forcemitigation film for mitigating an adhesive force of the plated metalfilm with respect to a surface on which the plated metal film is formed.2. A ceramic electronic component according to claim 1, characterized inthat the second planar part is constituted by a baked metal film formedon an exterior surface of the ceramic chip, and a plated metal filmformed on an exterior surface of the baked metal film via the adhesiveforce mitigation film.
 3. A ceramic electronic component according toclaim 1, characterized in that the second planar part is constituted bythe plated metal film formed on an exterior surface of the ceramic chipvia the adhesive force mitigation film.
 4. A ceramic electroniccomponent according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive forcemitigation film is a metal film whose adhesive force with respect to anexterior surface of the baked metal film or an exterior surface of theceramic chip is lower than its adhesive force with respect to aninterior surface of the plated metal film.
 5. A ceramic electroniccomponent according to claim 1, characterized in that the first planarpart is constituted by a baked metal film formed on an exterior surfaceof the ceramic chip, and the plated metal film formed on an exteriorsurface of the baked metal film.
 6. A ceramic electronic componentaccording to claim 1, characterized in that another plated metal film isformed on an exterior surface of the plated metal film.
 7. A ceramicelectronic component according to claim 1, characterized in that thereare four or two of the second planar part, and the two or more externalelectrodes have a section, cut along a height direction, roughly shapedlike a letter U.
 8. A ceramic electronic component according to claim 1,characterized in that there is only one of the second planar part, andthe two or more external electrodes have a section, cut along a heightdirection, roughly shaped like a letter L.
 9. A ceramic electroniccomponent according to claim 2, characterized in that the first planarpart is constituted by a baked metal film formed on an exterior surfaceof the ceramic chip, and the plated metal film formed on an exteriorsurface of the baked metal film.
 10. A ceramic electronic componentaccording to claim 2, characterized in that another plated metal film isformed on an exterior surface of the plated metal film.
 11. A ceramicelectronic component according to claim 2, characterized in that thereare four or two of the second planar part, and the two or more externalelectrodes have a section, cut along a height direction, roughly shapedlike a letter U.
 12. A ceramic electronic component according to claim2, characterized in that there is only one of the second planar part,and the two or more external electrodes have a section, cut along aheight direction, roughly shaped like a letter L.
 13. A ceramicelectronic component according to claim 3, characterized in that theadhesive force mitigation film is a metal film whose adhesive force withrespect to an exterior surface of the baked metal film or an exteriorsurface of the ceramic chip is lower than its adhesive force withrespect to an interior surface of the plated metal film.
 14. A ceramicelectronic component according to claim 3, characterized in that thefirst planar part is constituted by a baked metal film formed on anexterior surface of the ceramic chip, and the plated metal film formedon an exterior surface of the baked metal film.
 15. A ceramic electroniccomponent according to claim 3, characterized in that another platedmetal film is formed on an exterior surface of the plated metal film.16. A ceramic electronic component according to claim 3, characterizedin that there are four or two of the second planar part, and the two ormore external electrodes have a section, cut along a height direction,roughly shaped like a letter U.
 17. A ceramic electronic componentaccording to claim 3, characterized in that there is only one of thesecond planar part, and the two or more external electrodes have asection, cut along a height direction, roughly shaped like a letter L.18. A ceramic electronic component according to claim 4, characterizedin that the first planar part is constituted by a baked metal filmformed on an exterior surface of the ceramic chip, and the plated metalfilm formed on an exterior surface of the baked metal film.
 19. Aceramic electronic component according to claim 4, characterized in thatanother plated metal film is formed on an exterior surface of the platedmetal film.
 20. A ceramic electronic component according to claim 4,characterized in that there are four or two of the second planar part,and the two or more external electrodes have a section, cut along aheight direction, roughly shaped like a letter U.